March 10 - District Attorney Alex Hunter said Monday he is thinking more seriously than ever about a grand jury investigation into the 15-month-old JonBenet Ramsey murder case.

"With the police department's list of items to be accomplished narrowing, the issue of a grand jury is a more serious topic and is being given serious consideration," Hunter told The Denver Post.

If authorities decide on a grand jury investigation, the case could be presented to the panel by mid-year, perhaps sooner, Hunter said.

A grand jury has power to subpoena reluctant witnesses - a power that neither police nor prosecutors have. A grand jury also can grant immunity to witnesses. If the panel doesn't indict it can also present a report on the evidence it found.

Although no arrests have been made in the case, Police Cmdr. Mark Beckner has said JonBenet's parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, "remain under an umbrella of suspicion." Police have asked to reinterview the parents, but the Ramseys declined further interviews unless they could review the evidence in the case. They also would answer only written questions, their attorneys told police. Police termed both conditions unacceptable.

Police also have asked to talk with JonBenet's brother, Burke, as a witness.

The parents have proclaimed their innocence.

Police have said they expect to present their case to prosecutors soon.

Hunter has said previously that a grand jury investigation is an option, but Monday's comments were his strongest yet. Early in the investigation, police investigators and district attorney's staff shared quarters so they could work on the case together. In July, police pulled out of the "war room" but have continued to share information with prosecutors.

"There's a steady flow of information coming in from the police department," Hunter said.

Still, a grand jury investigation would require a good deal of preparation, the DA said.

"It can't be done half-baked because we're talking about great expense and great inconvenience to jurors," Hunter said. "You've got the expense of jurors and expert witnesses and travel, lodging and meals for regular witnesses. It's not something you do willy nilly."

Hunter had no comment on published reports that investigators are almost certain a nylon cord used to strangle the 6-year-old came from a Boulder surplus store.

According to the reports, police detectives purchased the Boulder Army Store's entire stock of Stansport white nylon utility cord on May 22 and sent samples to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for comparison to the rope found around the child's neck and wrist.

JonBenet was found beaten and strangled in the basement of her family's Boulder home Dec. 26, 1996.

Her body was found by her father about eight hours after her mother reported finding a ransom note on a back stairway.